The biomechanics of head trauma and the development of the modern helmet: how far have we really come?

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Newman, James A.¹

The biomechanics of head trauma and the development of the modern helmet: how far have we really come?

Proceedings of the 2005 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact

Affiliations

¹NBEC, Edmonton, Canada
Abstract and keywords

This paper reviews the development of protective headgear over the past 50 years and attempts to put in perspective the role of biomechanics in that process. Historically, basic engineering concepts of energy absorption and load distribution have been applied to helmet design and performance specifications but little in the way of biomechanics of head injury per se has been utilized. The lack of progress appears to stem largely from adherence to old fashion test methods which may not properly reflect the circumstances in which most helmeted humans may find themselves. The biofidelity of the test device, the nature of the failure criteria, as well as the manner by which the movement of the test helmet is constrained, are all issues that bear on the application of biomechanical fundamentals. The paper concludes with suggestions regarding how to better implement what is known about the biomechanics of head injury to helmet design and standards development.

Keywords: biomechanics, helmets

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Cited By (7)

Year	Entry
2013	Fernandes FAO, Alves de Sousa RJ, Willinger R, Deck C. Finite element analysis of helmeted impacts and head injury evaluation with a commercial road helmet. In: Proceedings of the 2013 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Injury. September 11-13, 2013; Gothenburg, Sweden.431-442.
2019	Meng S. Towards Improved Motorcycle Helmet Test Methods for Head Impact Protection: Using Experimental and Numerical Methods [PhD thesis]. Huddinge, Sweden: KTH Royal Institute of Technology; 2019.
2016	Rush GA. Design of an American Football Helmet Liner for Concussion Mitigation [PhD thesis]. Mississippi State University; August 2016.
2023	Juste Lorente Ó. Guidelines for Improving Motorcycle Helmet Testing Standards [PhD thesis]. Universidad de Zaragoza; February 2023.
2014	Patton DA. The Biomechanical Determinants of Sports-Related Concussion: Finite Element Simulations of Unhelmeted Head Impacts to Evaluate Kinematic and Tissue-Level Predictors of Injury and Investigate the Design Implications for Soft-Shell Headgear [PhD thesis]. University of New South Wales; March 2014.
2019	Karton C. Profiling Brain Trauma in Professional American-Style Football and the Implications to Developing Neurological Injury [PhD thesis]. University of Ottawa; 2019.
2022	Lowther S. Effect of Rule Changes Occurring Between 2003 and 2016 on Head Impact Frequency and Brain Strain Magnitude in North American Professional Ice Hockey [Master's thesis]. University of Ottawa; 2022.